CITY OF ALEXANDRIA FIRE DEPARTMENT

THE RESPONDER
— Dedicated to Our Community, Our Profession and Each Other —

SPRING 2014

LEXA
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CITY O

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IN THIS EDITION

Community Engagement. . . . . . . . . 2
Training News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
EMS News. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Fire Prevention & Life Safety Tips . . 9
Stats. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Alexandria Fire Department

900 Second Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
703.746.5200
www.alexandriava.gov/Fire

This newsletter is written

and compiled by the
Alexandria Fire Department’s
Community Services Unit

Top Left: FF V. Murphy, FF L. Laios, FF M. Duckery, & LT H. Cook; Top Right: FF C. Okoli & FF M. Quante; Middle Left: FF
M. Faber, FF M. Rowan, FF D. Hermatti, & LT M. Dunn; Middle Right: LT W. Sherman, FF A. Hematti, FF C. Brwon III, FF
J. Wood, FF C. Herring, & LT H. Cook; Bottom Right: Medic W. Jordan, CPT. S. Good, Medic R. Lese, FF J. Taylor, & FF R.
Givens; Bottom Right: FF T. Blunt, FF C. Okoli, & FF D. Kuny
 Community Engagement
Alexandria Fire Department Partners
with a Fire and EMS Explorer Program
By Grant Thomas & Jack Houston
Over the past six months several community adult
volunteers have worked with the leadership of the
Alexandria Fire Department to establish a youth fire and
Emergency Medical Services (EMS) program. The program
is sponsored through Learning for Life, which is affiliated
with the Boy Scouts of America and is targeted at youth
aged 15 to 20 with the goal of providing experiences to
help young people develop career and life skills through
community involvement. Explorer post members learning CPR from EMS Supervisor Michael Gerber.
On Tuesday April 1, 2014, the Alexandria Fire and
Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Explorer Post 1774 held Spring Fire Safety Visits
its first official meeting at the Alexandria Fire Department
Professional Development Center. There are currently By Shawn Gore
10 members of the post which meets several times each In continuation of the department’s community outreach
month to allow the participants the opportunity to learn and fire safety campaign, city firefighters and paramedics
about the Alexandria Fire Department and participate in discussed fire safety and prevention to preschool,
some of the Fire Department’s activities. For example, in kindergarten, and first grade students in Alexandria’s
the upcoming weeks the Explorer Post youth participants Elementary and Preschools throughout the months of
will be getting trained in basic first aid. Upon completion March and April.
of some of the basic CPR and EMS skills, later this summer
the Explorer Post youth participants will begin learning The Alexandria Fire Department wants to remind local
about basic firefighting tactics and procedures. residents that children under the age of five only account
for 7% of the population, but make up 10% of the fire
The Alexandria Fire & EMS Explorer Post is currently at the deaths in the United States. Fire safety visits remind us of
maximum capacity for the number of youth participants all the serious fire hazards present in our communities,
the program can accept, but there is a waiting list for homes and workplaces and how to prevent them from
other youth who are interested in joining. For more starting.
information, visit www.afdfireexplorer.com, email
[email protected], or call 571.969.2214 The curriculum focused on the job duties of firefighters,
smoke alarms, “Stop, drop and roll,” “Stay low and go,” 911
calls, “What’s hot and what’s not,” and the common types
of fires and how to prevent them from happening.

Explorer post members visiting station 204.

Firefighter Valdez doing community outreach.
PAGE 2 • T HE R E S P ON D E R
2015 Fiscal Budget Proposal The updated Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) and Records
Management system is also scheduled to be implemented in the
By Cameron Hall next fiscal year with plans to devote personnel and resources to
its operation and maintenance.
On Tuesday, February 24, City Manager Rashad Young
presented his Fiscal Year 2015 General Fund Budget to While funding for merit increases and career ladders is expected
the City Council. This budget has been organized around to move forward, some positions are proposed to be eliminated.
four “Focus Areas” that are anticipated to align with what It is important to note that any reduction in force have resulted
Alexandria residents expect and have requested. These from eliminating or reducing programs and are not related to
focus areas include 1. Accountable, Effective, and Well- individual, specific employees. The City plans to assist displaced
Managed Government; 2. Healthy and Thriving Residents; employees in finding other positions with the city government,
3. Livable, Green, and Prospering City; and 4. Safe, Secure, if possible.
and Just Community. This is a new approach to the budget
The City Manager has proposed to eliminate ten (10) vacant
process, and is not based solely on historical spending;
firefighter positions that were scheduled to assist with staffing as
rather it seeks to align investments with the priorities
Station 210 opens later this year.
outlined in the City’s Strategic Plan and City Manager’s
Performance Plan. The City Manager has developed a Other projects throughout the city include continued work on
framework called Results Alexandria, to determine long- the waterfront plan and marina improvements, design work for
term outcomes that support the Strategic Plan and align rebuilding Station 203 on Cameron Mills, and the Potomac Yard
funding to reflect those priorities. Metrorail Station. City leaders remain optimistic for the future,
as Alexandria will welcome the National Science Foundation,
The Fire Department falls under Focus Area #4: Safe,
scheduled to open in 2017. The continued development of
Secure, and Just Community. The City Manager is
Potomac Yard and the waterfront areas in Old Town will add
proposing to open Station 210, currently under
economic investment that will help maintain and grow the City’s
construction, on Eisenhower Avenue with the engine
tax base.
staffed by firefighters relocated from Station 204. This
move is expected to balance City resources and provide (On May 6, 2013, the Alexandria City Council approved a $624.8 million
a more consistent level of service throughout the city. General Fund operating budget for FY 2014. The approved budget can be
Station 210 will also have a 24-hour medic unit and found at http://alexandriava.gov/Budget.)
provide additional space for the Fire Department’s
Professional Development Center.

TRAINING/ PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

EMS Sim Lab: Better Than Ever develop training plans, and improve simulation scenarios.

By Michael Zuidema Supervisor Rule believes this new A/V system will “help
reduce the amount of anxiety involved during testing, in
The Alexandria Fire Department, in order to ensure that students will no longer have an instructor looking over
a consistent training process for its emergency first- their shoulder.” It will be just the student and the Sim Patient
responders, is piloting a full-time EMS Field Training Officer in the room, providing a much more realistic environment.
Coordinator position. The FTO Coordinator is responsible for
ensuring that all FTOs have the equipment and resources
needed to train new EMS Interns. Additionally, they are
responsible for creating realistic training simulations using
the department’s state-of-the-art simulation manikin. EMS
Supervisor John Rule has been assigned to this position
and has initiated a number of improvements to the
department’s current EMS training capabilities.
One such improvement has been to upgrade the
Simulation Lab (Sim Lab) with an audio/visual system. The
department’s Sim Lab allows personnel to train on the
latest EMS techniques and protocols in a safe, controlled
environment using a computerized manikin which takes
the place of a live patient.
This new system, which consists of three cameras, a
microphone system and DVR, will allow instructors to
monitor and record a student’s performance during
training evolutions. This information makes it possible for
instructors and students to evaluate student performance, SP RI N G 2 0 1 4 • PAGE 3
 EMS NEWS
Meet the Newest Members of the AFD:
The Medics of the 28th Recruit Class
By Hilary Gates
The 28th AFD EMS recruit class, consisting of 14
medics, graduated on February 20, a week later than
originally scheduled due to weather-related delays. In
spite of the postponement, the ceremony was well-
attended by family and friends of the graduates.
Speaking to the assembled audience, class
valedictorian Hillary Lindsay reprised many of the 28th AFD EMS Recruit class doing team building.
recruits’ fondest moments and memorable events.
“We pushed the recruits hard and their grades Introducing AFD’s newest medics:
reflected that,” said Supervisor Tracy Eichelberger. “The
class average was 94.92% with 11.1 points separating Christopher Bente
highest and lowest grade.” Firehouse and shift: 207A
The recruits have now been stationed at their Hometown: Pasadena, Md.
respective firehouses for almost two months. Under
the supervision of their Field Training Officers, Resides in: Nottingham, Md.
they are moving through the first sessions of their
medic internships. The focus for the initial period of Q: What are you enjoying so far about the job?
training is on driving, scene management, drills at A: Working with [Medic II] Fiona Apple.
the Simulation Lab and familiarizing themselves with
station life. Q: What are you most looking forward to about your
future in the AFD?
A: At this point I'm only focused on finishing my
internship and getting cut loose.
Q: What is something people don’t know about you?
A: I speak German, but only a little. Just learning.
Q: What are your hobbies?
A: Triathlon, video games, cooking, and hiking.
Brett Buehler
Firehouse and shift: 207B
28th AFD EMS Recruit class doing team building. Hometown: Laurel, Md.
Resides in: Laurel, Md.
Q: What are you enjoying so far about the job?
A: The protocols and new work environment.
Q: What are you most looking forward to about your future
in the AFD?
A: The prospect of getting to do something I enjoy as a
career.
Q: What is your favorite memory from recruit school?
A: All of the instructors.
Q: What are your hobbies?
28th AFD EMS Recruit class doing team building.

PAGE 4 • T HE R E S P ON D E R A: Music, running, and being out on the water.

Andrew Cornell Q: What is most challenging so far?
Firehouse and shift: 205A A: Remembering to hit the switch to exit the ER before
Hometown: Fairfax, Va. walking by and standing expectantly at the door. I've
gotten better, so now I only forget about 75 percent of the
Resides in: Alexandria, Va. time.
Q: What are you enjoying so far about the job? Q: What is something people don’t know about you?
A: The job in general motivates and excites me, A: I lived overseas for eight years, spending all my teen
and the pair of preceptors I have makes it even years in Norway and Japan.
better. They lead by example and offer insights on Q: What is your favorite memory from recruit school?
how to do the job better on just about every call.
Even when the call is low priority it is still service; A: Negotiating the maze in the dark was a little anxiety-
the service aspect of this is what I most enjoy. inducing and a great experience. Psychologically, it was
quite interesting.
Q: What is most challenging so far?
A: Just trying to put it all together. The individual Hillary Lindsay
components are improving, and hopefully that
will lead to smoother overall performance and Firehouse and shift: 206A
delivery. Hometown: Roxbury, Conn.
Q: What are you most looking forward to about Resides in: Springfield, Va.
your future in the AFD?
Q: What happened on your first call, shift or tour that made
A: Developing roots. you excited for your new job?
A: I'm at 206 and I didn't run a call until 10pm. I was
shocked and worried that I would be a white cloud and
Xenya Gainor wouldn't run calls, ever. Clearly that changed.
Firehouse and shift: 208C Q: What is most challenging so far?
Hometown: Boise, Idaho A: Answering this survey.
Resides in: Catonsville, Md. Q: What is something people don’t know about you?
Q: What are you enjoying so far about the job? A: This is my second career. My education is actually in
Computer Engineering and IT.
A: The variety of calls we run.
Q: What are your hobbies?
Q: What is something people don’t know about you?
A: Adventure racing, triathlons, hanging out with Colt, my
A: I competed in the Winter Olympics in ice skating for 11-year-old Pit Bull.
Ukraine. That actually never really happened, but I am
Ukrainian.
Q: What are your hobbies? Caitlin Neill
A: Hiking with my dog and playing sand-volleyball. Firehouse and shift: 207C
Hometown: Springfield, Va.
Resides in: Burke, Va.
Sean Goza Q: What happened on your first call, shift or tour that made
Firehouse and shift: 205B you excited for your new job?
Hometown: NAS Patuxent River, Md. A: The very first call on my first shift, [Medic] Tracy
[Eichelberger] looked at me and says "You're leading this
Resides in: Falls Church, Va. one." I was extremely nervous about how I would do, but
Q: What happened on your first call, shift or tour that made very excited to know that I'm being thrown in the middle of
you excited for your new job? everything.
A: The constant realization that I wasn't actually dreaming. Q: What is most challenging so far?
There are a lot of people willing and happy to do whatever A: Getting used to not being in recruit school. I still feel like
they can to help us all succeed.

SP RIN G 2 0 1 4 • PAGE 5
someone is going to make me do push-ups if I mess up. Q: What is your favorite memory from recruit school?
Q: What is something people don’t know about you? A: I enjoyed the Physical Training. It was a nice break from
the classroom and all the quizzes. I also enjoyed doing the
A: My record for eating chicken wings is 35. little bit of fire training that we got to do.
Q: What are your hobbies?
A: I like going to vineyards and wine festivals. Jessica Robertson
Firehouse and shift: 202B
Bao-Vinh Nguyen Hometown: Rockville, Md.
Firehouse and shift: 208A Resides in: Frederick, Md.
Hometown: Annandale, Va. Q: What are you enjoying so far about the job?
Resides in: Annandale, Va. A: I love the different kind of calls we run as well as just
Q: What happened on your first call, shift or tour that made the overall station life. Everyone has been so nice and
you excited for your new job? welcoming that it makes it fun to come to work every day.

[On my] first shift, I ran a Segment Elevation Myocardial Q: What is most challenging so far?
Infarction (STEMI) with [Former Medic Nate] Brenner and A: For me the most challenging part has been navigating
[Medic] Bobby Honaker. the city. I am "directionally challenged" so I have to study
Q: What is most challenging so far? my maps twice as hard.

A: It's challenging trying to retain everything. Being fresh Q: What is something people don’t know about you?
out of medic school, I have a lot to learn and remember A: I love to bake and cook. On my days off I am always on
including keeping an eye on the fuel level, stocking units, Pinterest looking for new ideas to make and bring in. I also
and station duties. love arts and crafts.
Q: What is something people don’t know about you? Q: What is your favorite memory from recruit school?
A: I was born in Alexandria. [I] couldn't wait until we got to A: I loved running scenarios. Every day was different so
the hospital so medics delivered me. it was always a surprise what we would be doing. Some
Q: What are your hobbies? surprises were better than others.

A: Mountain biking, flag football, snowboarding, lacrosse,

camping/backpacking. Barbara Sparklin
Firehouse and shift: 206B
Dylan Poole Hometown: Pasadena, Md.
Firehouse and shift: 206C Resides in: Kingstowne, Va.
Hometown: Dayton, Md. Q: What happened on your first call, shift or tour that made
Resides in: Catonsville, Md. you excited for your new job?

Q: What interesting thing happened on your first call/shift/ A: We had a candidate for RSI. I was amazed at how
tour that surprised you/worried you/or made you excited smoothly the call flowed. The teamwork on this call was
for your new job? more than obvious. The call built my excitement to work
with such great people who work cohesively even during
A: My third call was an rapid sequence intubation (RSI), times of stress.
so that made me pretty excited for the job even though
[Supervisor David] Fox stole the tube. Q: What is something people don’t know about you?

Q: What are you enjoying so far about the job? A: I have an interest in pursuing a skydiving certification.

A: I really enjoy everything. I like learning new things and Q: What is your favorite memory from recruit school?
becoming better at what I do and everyone seems very A: My favorite memory of recruit school would most
willing to teach. definitely be the EDGE teamwork training day since this
Q: What is most challenging so far? was the first day the other recruits and I had exposure to
each others’ strengths and weaknesses.
A: The steep learning curve. There is just a lot learn in a very
short amount of time. Q: What are your hobbies?
A: Kayaking, hiking/camping, DIY projects, cooking/
baking (perhaps 206 knows this by now?), swimming, and
traveling.
PAGE 6 • T HE R E S P ON DER
Edgar Velazquez
Firehouse and shift: 207D
Hometown: West Palm Beach, Fl.
Resides in: Alexandria, Va.
Q: What happened on your first call, shift or tour that made
you excited for your new job?
A: My first code was a good experience. I was responsible for
managing the airway and was able to get a tube in. We were
able to [regain a pulse] on the patient.
Q: What is most challenging so far?
A: Everything is a challenge but the biggest challenge is
putting it all together.
Q: What is something people don’t know about you?
A: I was part of a dance crew for Prince at the Superbowl.
Q: What are your hobbies?
A: Basketball, football, baseball, and studying my protocols.

Laura Suggs
Firehouse and shift: 206D
Hometown: Enderlin, N.D.
Resides in: Springfield, Va. and Annapolis, Md.
Q: What are you enjoying so far about the job? 28th AFD EMS Recruit class doing SCBA training.

A: I really enjoy the diversity and demographics of the calls

that we run.
Q: What is most challenging so far?
A: There are many moving parts and being able to do all of
them at the same time and still give good patient care.
Q: What is your favorite memory from recruit school?
A: When we would take tests, [Supervisor] David Fox would
roll his podium around the room banging into the tables
so we could learn to concentrate in a chaotic environment.
Q: What are your hobbies?
A: I love all sports, but [I’m] waiting for the weather to
change to hit the links and pull my bikes out.

Adam Wynn
Firehouse and shift: 205D
Hometown: Woodbridge, Va.
Resides in: Fairfax, Va.
Q: What happened on your first call, shift or tour that made
you excited for your new job? A: For my first tour, the
longest we were in the station at one time was 88 minutes.
Luckily, it slowed down a bit.
Q: What is your favorite memory from recruit school??
A: We convinced Robertson they built large, wooden 28th AFD EMS Recruit class doing SCBA training.
sailing vessels at the "ship plant" next to the burn building.
After completion, they went to the Torpedo Factory to be
outfitted before going in service. SP RING 2 0 1 4 • PAGE 7
 28th Alexandria Fire Department EMS Recruit Class and instructors.

28th AFD EMS Recruit class doing Hazmat training. 28th AFD EMS Recruit class doing SCBA training.

PAGE 8 • T HE R E S P ON D E R
 FIRE PREVENTION & LIFE SAFETY TIPS
Spring Fire Safety Tips junk mail. These items tend to pile up and can greatly
contribute to the severity and spread of fire.
By Andrea Buchanan
hh Check for and correct frayed or damaged extension cords
Spring is here, it’s time to put away the snow shovels and and wiring on all appliances.
prepare for your favorite spring activities like barbecuing,
hh Dryer Vents - If clothes are still damp at the end of a
entertaining, outdoor sporting events, yard work and
typical drying cycle or requires longer times than normal,
everyone’s favorite spring cleaning. While clearing out the
this may be a sign that the lint screen or the exhaust
unwanted items it is a good time to check your homes for
duct is blocked. Pay particular attention to lint build-up
unsafe conditions, and to ensure your families are safe from
in clothes dryer vents and in the exhaust ducts. Correct
potential fire hazards. Here are a few fire safety tips to help you
by cleaning the lint screen/filter before or after drying
perform your annual spring cleaning, and to ensure that your
each load of clothes. Clean the dryer vent and exhaust
family has a safe spring.
duct periodically. Clean behind the dryer, where lint can
build up. Keep the area around the dryer clean and free of
clutter.
BBQ / Grilling Safety Tips hh Clean behind large furniture and appliances: Vacuum and
hh All barbeque grills must only be used outdoors — using clean behind furniture and appliances.
grills indoors or in enclosed spaces is not only a fire hh Add smoke alarm maintenance to your spring cleaning
hazard, but it exposes occupants to toxic gasses and list. They require only three minor scheduled tasks: One,
potential asphyxiation. replace the batteries once a year; two, keep them clean.
hh Always position the grill well away from combustible Just as you dust your bookshelves, make sure that your
objects — buildings, fences, deck railings and smoke alarm is free from dust and debris, as it may
landscaping can easily and quickly ignite. interfere with proper functioning. Thirdly, test your smoke
alarms monthly.
hh Get your grill cleaned and serviced. Check all propane
tanks and lines for leaks and damage. hh Plan your escape: This is a good time to sit down with
your family or co-workers and discuss what to do in the
hh Never leave a lit grill unattended. event of a fire and identify your meeting place outside
the house/work area.
hh Always use long handled grilling utensils and heat
resistant oven mitts to avoid exposure burns from heat hh Clean your oven: oven fires occur when oil/grease
and flames. deposits are overheated and ignite.
hh Periodically remove grease build-up in catch trays to hh Clean the cooking surface of your stove: grease and food
prevent it from igniting. crumbs can quickly ignite.
hh Keep a garden hose nearby, connected and ready for use hh Keep combustible items i.e. oven mitts, towels, wooden
in case of a fire. utensils, paper towels, etc. off the top of the stove.
hh Plug cooking appliances directly into wall outlets. Do not
use extension cords or surge protectors with cooking
Safety Tips in and around the home appliances.

hh Remove leaves and trash from carports and garages: hh Ensure a safety area for children and pets around the
Combustible materials are dangerous if they are exposed stove or areas where hot food are prepared or served, rule
to heated automobile components, especially under the of thumb 3’ clearance.
vehicle. hh Do no leave kitchen when you are frying, boiling or when
hh Properly store flammable liquids and home chemicals: cooking anything on cooking surface (stove top). Even if
Make sure that gasoline and home chemicals are well you leave the kitchen for a short period of time, turn off
marked and out of the reach of children and pets. All the stove.
flammables, i.e., gasoline should be stored in a cool dry hh When baking, roasting or boiling check the oven
place outside the house or work area in an approved regularly, remain in the home while food is cooking
container. and use a timer to remind you to check the oven while
hh Recycle: Get rid of old newspapers, magazines and cooking.

SP RIN G 2 0 1 4 • PAGE 9
 WINTER 2014 RUN STATISTICS
(December, January & Februray)

UNIT MEDICAL FIRE SUPRESSION TOTAL 2014 YTD 2013 YTD

Station 201 E201 122 230

Total 352 250 1319
Station 202 M202 427 95
U202 1 2
Total 525
Station 203 E203 164 207 342 2091
T203 24 268
Total 663
Station 204 E204 165 218 465 2294
M204 127 37
T204 39 376
Total 962
Station 205 E205 201 342 677 3478
M205 531 131
Total 1205
Station 206 E206 268 318 800 4627
M206 542 130
RS206 42 88
Total 1388
Station 207 E207 240 291 951 5460
M207 425 108
Total 1064
Station 208 E208 406 361 726 4209
M208 523 132
T208 88 354
Total 1864
Station 209 E209 204 213 1262 7219
H209 0 12
U209 2 1
Total 432
294 1493
Total 8455 5767 32190

PAGE 10 • T HE R E S P ON D ER